In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him”, and in chapter fourteen and verse three of Proverbs Solomon said, “in the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride” where we read,
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
The verse begins, “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride:” Solomon began with the words, “in the mouth” or “within the orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking” “of the foolish” which means “belonging to people who despise wisdom, mock when guilty, are quarrelsome and licentious” “is a rod of pride” or “exists as a twig or branch pertaining to majesty, swelling, haughtiness, excellency and arrogance”. Solomon shared how people who lack wisdom and are quarrelsome have “mouths” that are filled with a branch of arrogance and haughtiness.
The verse continues, “but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Solomon added the words, “but the lips” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the physical lips used for speaking” “of the wise” or “belonging to people who skillful, shrewd, crafty, cunning and wily” “shall preserve them” which means “will keep watch, guard, observe and protect the people who are wise”. Solomon said the physical “lips” of people who are skillful and prudent will watch over and protect people who are skillful and prudent.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how people who are “foolish” use their speech in such a way that it becomes a lashing branch of arrogance that beats them, and the “lips” used for speech by people who are skillful and prudent will keep them protected and safe. God wants us to use our speech wisely because He loves us. He proved His love to us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to use our speech to keep us from “pride” and to “preserve” us according to His perfect plan and will.
Next time Solomon says, “where no oxen are, the crib is clean”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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